Two new events announced after cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week
Constellations: Not Writers' Week and Writers And Poets In The Garden will replace the controversial cancelled festival
Two new literary events have been announced to take place at Adelaide Festival following the cancellation of the 2026 Adelaide Writers’ Week. That event was called off last month after widespread withdrawals from the programme.
The event (the longest running writers’ festival in Australia, first held in 1960) had been due to take place later this month. It was cancelled after organisers removed Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah from the line-up, citing concerns around 'cultural sensitivity' following the 2025 Bondi Beach shooting. The decision prompted more than 180 writers to withdraw in protest. Writers’ Week director Louise Adler later resigned, along with members of the festival board, before the event was formally scrapped. The new board has since issued a statement apologising to Abdel-Fattah and inviting her to speak at Writers' Week in 2027.
In response, two local organisations have rallied to replace it with brand new events. The first, Constellations: Not Writers’ Week, is being organised by Writers SA together with publishers, booksellers and authors. Taking place from Saturday 28 February to Thursday 5 March, Constellations will feature panels, conversations and readings across multiple venues in the city. Organisers describe it as a community-led initiative rather than a direct replacement for Writers’ Week.
The Independent Arts Foundation Of South Australia have also announced Writers And Poets In The Garden, an afternoon of author talks and public discussion taking place on Wednesday 5 March. The event, ‘inspired by the spirit of Writers’ Week’, is presented in partnership with producer Joanne Hartstone. It will be compered by author Peter Goers and chaired by journalist Tory Shepherd.
Constellations: Not Writers’ Week, Adelaide, Saturday 28 February - Thursday 5 March; Writers And Poets In The Garden, Adelaide, Wednesday 5 March, 2-5pm; picture: Adelaide Festival.